A life in pictures: the José Fernández family album (1992-2016)

Miami Marlins pitcher José Delfin Fernández lived life to the full, from childhood in Cuba to Major League stardom in Miami, as seen in these photos provided to Univision by his family for the documentary about his life 'JDF16'. Scenes from his baby and early teen years in Santa Clara, Cuba, high school in Tampa, fishing in Miami and visiting family in Cuba. Read more about his life and the family he left behind.

José Delfin Fernández with his mother, Maritza in Santa Clara, Cuba. 1992. He was born Aug 1 and weighed 10 and half pounds. It was not an easy birth, his mother says. Courtesy of the Fernández family/Univision.

José Delfin in a Florida Marlins baseball cap. A few years after this photo was taken the team changed its name to the Miami Marlins and signed José Fernandez for $2 million. Courtesy of the Fernández family/Univision.

José Delfin with his adoring grandmother Olga. She was passionate about baseball and prcaticed with him. After José left Cuba in 2008 she stayed behind. In 2013 she was granted a visa to visit Miami and from then on never missed a game he pitched during his brief career. Courtesy of the Fernández family/Univision.

José' Delfin with his ex-wife Alejandra Baleato in Tampa. They were together for four years before he joined the Major Leagues. “He was the most romantic boyfriend I ever had, he was a very sweet boy,” she said tearfully. “My parents adored him. He won everyone's hearts.” Courtesy of Alejandra Baleato/Univision

José Delfin with family attorney and close friend Ralph Fernandez. They became friends after the attorney helped restore José's eligibility to play baseball in his senior year at Alonso High in Tampa. He has represented the family pro bono ever since. Courtesy of Ralph Fernández/Univision.

'Tommy John' surgery on his right pitching elbow was one of the lowest moments in his career, his mother recalls. José was worried he'd never be able to compete again at the top level. But after strenuous conditioning he came back stronger than ever. Courtesy of the Fernández family.

Boating in Biscayne Bay becam,e therapy for José Delfin after his underwent surgery in 2015 on his pitching elbow, which kept him out of the game for a year. Courtesy of the Fernández family/Univision.

Penélope Fernández. The night José Fernández died at night, he shared a secret with his girlfriend Maria Arias. “He told me that he had made a baseball glove for Penélope to play catch with her,” Arias said. “He was supposed to keep it a surprise but he couldn’t hold it anymore.” David Maris/Univision.

A continuaciÓn:

José Delfin Fernández with his mother, Maritza in Santa Clara, Cuba. 1992. He was born Aug 1 and weighed 10 and half pounds. It was not an easy birth, his mother says. Courtesy of the Fernández family/Univision.